Anna Hazare addressing protesters in Delhi
Gandhian activist Anna Hazare today said Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is "welcome to join him" in a new campaign that he has launched against changes in rules for acquisition of farm land.
"They (AAP) have said that they would join our campaign. They spoke to me a couple of times. I have welcomed them," the 77-year-old said, indicating a big change of heart after his firm refusal to associate with any political outfit, including Mr Kejriwal's party.
But he added, "All those who support us are welcome to join the campaign but no political party can come on the stage."
Arvind Kejriwal took charge as Delhi's Chief Minister last week after his party won a landslide victory in the Delhi election.
In the past few days, Anna Hazare has praised Mr Kejriwal more than once and sharply attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government. "Where are the acche din that they said would come? It is only for industries," he said today.
He also appeared to criticize his former support Kiran Bedi, who contested as the BJP's chief ministerial candidate and lost the Delhi polls. Asked to comment on Ms Bedi's statement that politics is also a way to serve people, Anna said, "If that was so, then politics would not be like this."
Anna Hazare and Arvind Kejriwal last campaigned together in 2011 for the anti-corruption Lokpal law. The two parted ways in 2012, when Mr Kejriwal formed his political party, a move that did not win his mentor's approval. Recently, when asked to comment on the poll rivalry between Mr Kejriwal and another former anti-corruption campaigner Kiran Bedi, Anna Hazare said he did not want to be dragged into "dirty politics."
Anna will participate in a march by some 5,000 landless workers and tribals against changes to the Land Acquisition bill. Several protests and marches have been planned in Haryana, West Bengal, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh.